Beware of Attacking Advocates

The proposed Bill aims to protect these professionals who are increasingly the target of assaults and intimidation and are prevented from discharging their professional duties

- Adarsh Kumar

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on July 2, 2021, released the draft of the Advocates Protection Bill 2021. A seven-member committee had been constituted on June 10, 2021, to frame the Bill keeping in mind the problem and adversities faced by advocates and their families. The BCI has circulated it to all Bar Councils, High Court Bar Associations, the Supreme Court Bar Association and all other Bars in the country.

A BCI press release said that suggestions received by it shall be considered and changes incorporated, if necessary. The final draft Bill shall be sent to the law minister to table before Parliament.

The advocates’ fraternity is one of the essential wings of the justice delivery system, akin to the police and the judiciary. But while the police and the judiciary have access to protection, social security and other privileges, advocates are not given proper protection from anti-social elements. The Committee deliberated on the need for social security for advocates, apart from physical security and protection against illegal arrest and detention, and redressal of their grievances.

The press release said: “The Committee has endeavoured to take all these connected issues into consideration and drafted the Advocates Protection Bill. The Bill, if passed by the Parliament will ensure adequate protection to members of the legal fraternity, so that they can carry on their duties as officers of the court, fearlessly without having to worry about their and their family's social and physical safety.”